Zumba away the holiday pounds

Thanksgiving is long gone but unfortunately the pounds from eating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie haven’t disappeared.

But Luz Marina Gil has a way to shed those pounds and have fun at the same time — all before Christmas.

Gil is a certified Zumba instructor who is throwing a Zumba Christmas Bash in Naples to get holiday eaters movin’ and groovin’ to latin rhythms including salsa, reggaeton and flamenco.

“It is going to be a very intense workout for 75 minutes and people will have a great time,” said Gil, who teaches Zumba at several locations in Naples.

Zumba, in technical terms, is a fusion of international music that creates an effective exercise program but to the average participant it’s just plain fun.

“I love it! I love to dance and that’s why I took the class and it’s aggressive,” said said Jeoff Gratton, 62, of Naples, who took a class with Gil at the YMCA in Bonita Springs.
The name “Zumba” comes from a Colombian word meaning to move fast and have fun.

The fiesty latin dance class will cost $20 at the door but Gil encourages people to buy tickets in advance because the class is being capped at 60.

“I’m going to have DJ Nalig from Miami come out and mix all the music and do some fun stuff with it,” said Gil, who won’t be taking too much time to show how to do the dance move. “We will just dance back to back and people can do their best to keep up.”

As part of the ticket price, patrons will also have a chance to participate in a raffle for small prizes and can visit with Santa, who will make an appearance.

“This will be intense but great because it’s right after Thanksgiving and right before Christmas,” joked Gil. “We have to work off some of the food the people have been eating.”